MooseJaw

Moose Jaw’s reputation as Canada’s premier military aviation city was on full display July 12, when the Snowbirds’ Hometown Event drew over 1,600 spectators to the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport for a sold-out show — and raised $18,000 toward future airport improvements.

A soggy Saturday left Buffalo Pound Provincial Park staff feeling underwhelmed by turnout for this year’s Parks Day celebration on July 19 — but the mood remains optimistic as new wildlife programming and long weekend events roll out across the park.

“Our visitation was good in the morning,” said Park Manager Dave Bjarnason, “but the weather kind of just went a little south on us.”

As immigration tensions continue to take centre stage in political discussions across Canada, Saskatchewan’s Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Jim Reiter says the issue should not be viewed through a partisan lens.

“To me this isn’t about left or right,” Reiter said during a visit to Moose Jaw yesterday. “This is about doing what’s best for the economy and what’s best for Saskatchewan citizens.”

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, two leaders of the Freedom Convoy protest, are scheduled to be sentenced for mischief on Oct. 7 in an Ottawa courtroom.

In addition to lengthy prison sentences, the Crown wants to seize Barber's truck, which was used in the protest.

A forfeiture hearing on that matter is scheduled for Sept. 12.

Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey said Thursday she wants to rule on the mischief sentence and truck forfeiture at the same time so that she does not deliver "piecemeal" decisions.

Three workers who were trapped in a remote northern British Columbia mine have been rescued after more than 60 hours underground.

Red Chris mine operator Newmont Corp. said the three men were safely bought to the surface at about 10:40 p.m. on Thursday.

It said Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke and Jesse Chubaty — contractors for B.C.-based Hy-Tech Drilling — were in good health and spirits after being trapped underground by two rockfalls on Tuesday morning.

"This was a carefully planned and meticulously executed rescue plan," the company said in a statement.

The month of July has brought cool, wet weather and smoke from forest fires to the majority of the Prairies.

Rain has been reported in some of the drier areas, but its coming too late for drought stressed crops and forage, with RM's across Manitoba, and Saskatchewan and  Alberta County's now declaring agricultural disaster areas.

Taking a regional look at what's happening:

Manitoba

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture & Food.

The agreement is designed to build stronger collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous agricultural producers.

Keith Currie, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture says by working together, we can amplify Indigenous voices, support agricultural entrepreneurs, and promote food production in ways that benefit all Canadians.

The provincial government recently announced two conservation programs: the Private Land Conservation Program and Ecosystems Grant Program 

The government of Alberta is investing $10 million to improve private land conservation, with the launch of two new and improved programs.

The enhanced Private Land Conservation Program and the new Ecosystems Grant Program will enable better protection of natural areas across the province, while allowing landowners to use their land for farming and ranching, the province has said.

The Saskatchewan RCMP have released more details about the dangerous person alert that was sent out this morning.

Punnichy RCMP responded to a report of an armed person at a residence on Muskowekwan First Nation at approximately 2 a.m.

When officers arrived at the scene, a gun was fired, and an officer was hit. The officer was taken to hospital with injuries that are described as non-life-threatening.

The suspect then left the residence on foot. Police say there were other people in the house, but no physical injuries were reported.